Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1887-08-25
Formerly duke of Sweetwater county an,
referee during the Modoc war.
Maryland Mountain Scenes.
Baltimore Sun.

From Blue Ridge summit by moonlight
to Mount Quirauk, and the glorious
prospect Of witnessing the sun rise from
the observatory at this elevated point, is
a treat which those who have had the
good fortune to enjoy under favorable
atmospheric conditions can never forget.
The grand view of the Cumberland Vale V
and surrounding mountain ranges when
seen in the day time is truly enchanting,
but even this fades into common place.
yea, almost insigni6cance, before such rap
turous panorama as was spread before us
at four to five O'Clock on the morning of
August 3. When I say us mean a party
of seven ladies and one gentleman, all
from Baltimore, sojvurning at Winston
Cottage, Blue Ridge Summit, by whom
this delightful expedition was planned
and carried out. Leaving the cottage at
3 A. M. under cloudless sky and balmy,
invigorating, early morning air, with the
full moon beaming in all its glory, illu-
minating the near and distant hills, each
contour being most delicately outlined
against the misty veil behind it, and here
and there feecy cloud floating serenely
bepeat the towering hilltops. The light
showers of the evening before and dew
together had ornamented leaves and fen
COS with innumerable beads, which
glisstned in the sof moonlight, and while
driving through the woods were heard
dropping all around US. Of all the de-
lightful drives we have enjoyed among
these lovely hills this one from the Cot
tage up to Mount Quirauk excelled. All
who behold the many towns and farms
houses which are scattered all over the
valley from High Rock are impressed
with the lovely quietude and serenity of
the scene, but to see this same valley at
four o'clock in the morning, the full moon
slowly dropping down over the North
mountain of the Cumberland range be-
yond, which, rising from the mist-en
shrouded plain, with here and there hill
appearing like an island in the sea, is
simply sublime, and the landscape seems
tarned into marine view; but grand be-
yond description is the panorama which
unfolds itself to the beholder looking
eastward from the top of the observatory
on the lofty peak of Mount Quirauk at 5
A. nj. In the valley between Mognt
Quirauk and South Mountain sleeps Blue
Ridge Summit, and beyond this Monterey
which on this occasion we're carefully
tucked away under an immaculate sheet of
mist, with the undulating outlines of dist
ant hills for headboard, in the center of
which presently appears ruby light that
marks the near approach of the rising
orb of day, which a few moments later
majesticaily mounts above the hilltops
and misty clouds, upon which it soon
sheds its brilliant rays, and as under the
silvery light of the moon, the Cumber-
land Valley, in the west, looks like quiet,
peaceful bay, with mountains rising from
it on the other side. The view in the east
now resembles broad expanse of ocean,
extending far beyond the hills, and as the
sunlight falls upon the top of the misty
clouds prod ices an effect which must be
seen to be appreciated. Never were ocean
waves more perfectly initiated than they
were here; indeed, the illusion was so
complete that one could almost see the
breakers dashing up against the hills and
the pillows fading away in the distant
horizon until the dissolving view vanished
and hills and wales resumed their verdure-
clad appearance, than which those do not
know who cannot beat the SUE couple
of hours. The ride back to the cottage
was as delightful under the early morning
sun through the balmy, shady woods, as
the other had been through the light,
misty clouds under Luna's silvery beams.
1t is needless to state never was break
fast more keenly enjoyed than by every
member of our little party upon our re-
turn to Winston Cottage.
ARGUMENTS were to-day made before
the secretary o. the interior upon an ap-
peal by the New Orleans Canal and Bank
Ing COMPANY, asking the department to